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Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Francis Nwifuru has made a deliberate effort to invest in Ebonyi State’s most critical asset – the people. This is in line with his people-centred governance philosophy as encapsulated in his People’s Charter of Needs mantra.
Without blowing his trumpet, he has distinguished yourself from his contemporaries in education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development, housing, water resources, youth development, respect for the rule of law, prudent management of resources, diaspora engagement, aviation, respect for the autonomy of the local government system, relative peace across the communities, skills acquisition, transportation, commerce and industry, power, rural development, security, as well as trade and investment.
He understands that the true measure of leadership is in institutions that work. Employing qualified personnel into the civil service and funding overseas scholarships for Ebonyi’s brightest minds, are indications that he is rebuilding the human foundation of the state. He has given assurance that a professional civil service and a globally trained generation of Ebonyi people will be his legacy. Beneficiaries are being trained in medicine, engineering, agriculture, renewable energy, data science, education, and public administration.
Governor Nwifuru has sustained this human capital development drive with the belief that no one can build 21st-century hospitals without doctors trained in modern medical practices, including telemedicine and the application of artificial intelligence in medicine as has been successfully done in China and other parts of the world.
He also believes that no one can industrialise a state without well-trained engineers who understand new technologies, just as education reforms without teachers that are exposed to global best practices is a waste of time and resources.
On assumption of office in 2023, his administration recruited 2,000 teachers for basic education, 100 judicial officers for the state Judiciary Service, 1,700 staff in the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies; medical personnel including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab scientists. He also promoted all those due for promotion.
His administration has established the University of ICT, Oferekpe, which kicked off in March 2026. The state also initiated the process of establishing Aeronautical and Aerospace University, Onueke, while work is ongoing on roads accessing all the palaces of traditional rulers in the state.
In addition, his government has constructed 300 units of 3-bedroom bungalows for resettlement of communal war victims of Amaeze and Izzo autonomous communities in Ishielu with internal roads, water and solar lights.
Under his leadership, priority is given to the welfare of the people. He has cleared the backlog of gratuities and pensions owed retired civil servants from 2015 to date. He extended a similar lifeline to retired staff of the Ebonyi State Local Government System from creation in 1996 to date.
In recognition of these and many more impactful achievements he has recorded in office, Governor Francis Nwifuru is winner of The Sun Governor of the Year Award 2026.
